News

River’s End Exits Leather Apparel Business, Continues Exploring Possible Sale

Top 40 supplier River’s End Trading Company (asi/82588 ) is moving away from the leather apparel business. The Madison, WI-based supplier had offered leather items from Burk’s Bay by Nucom (asi/74600), but will no longer be representing the line. Distributors interested in purchasing items from New Hope, MN-based Burk’s Bay by Nucom can contact the supplier directly.

A River’s End spokesperson told Counselor that the company decided to stop selling Burk’s Bay because leather apparel represents a small portion of overall sales. River’s End is keen to focus on items that represent the bulk of its business.

“We think very highly of Burk’s Bay, and the decision to stop selling their products via River’s End Trading Company was made mutually and amicably,” River’s End Marketing Director Hilary Kleese told Counselor. “We will enthusiastically refer customers who inquire about leather apparel directly to Burk’s Bay for order fulfillment.”

Last month, River’s End Holdings, parent company of River’s End Trading, announced it was conducting a strategic review that could result in a sale of all or part of the business, including the Clarksville, TN-based decoration operation. Buyers have shown interest, but no deal has been reached, said Kleese. “There are no new developments to report at this time in River’s End’s search for a buyer,” Kleese said. “The strategic review is ongoing. Meanwhile, we continue to service our customers as we always have.”

With estimated 2015 North American promotional product revenue of $98.4 million, River’s End Trading ranked 17th on Counselor’s most recent list of the industry’s largest suppliers.